New footage of suspected Charlie Kirk shooter on campus
At the hearing, new footage from the day of the shooting of alleged gunman Charlie Kirk was played during witness questioning.
Lawyers at a key hearing for the man accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk quarreled over whether the police interview should be made public, with a lawyer for Kirk’s family saying keeping it sealed would only breed distrust in the justice system.
On July 8, during a week-long preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson in a Utah courtroom, his attorneys argued the matter for several hours. The hearing will determine whether there is probable cause for Robinson, 23, to stand trial for the murder of Kirk at Utah Valley University in September.
The controversial issue that arose on July 8th revolved around the police interview of Lance Twiggs, Robinson’s roommate and boyfriend. Authorities granted Twiggs immunity in exchange for information. That means Twigs’ statements cannot be used against him.
Prosecutors tried to replay the interview in court, but the defense strongly objected, arguing that news media cameras in the courtroom would broadcast the interview to the world, undermining Robinson’s right to a fair trial.
Lawyers for Kirk’s family have carefully considered the matter and said not releasing the interview “would cast doubt and distrust in the justice system.”
Jeffrey Neiman said: “The Kirk family strongly believes that if the evidence is admitted at this preliminary hearing, it should be made available to the world. There will be no editing.” “This court has tools at its disposal to ensure that defendants receive a fair trial. Use them if necessary.”
He added: “Not being transparent here, not being open, not letting the world see what happened is going to create doubt and mistrust in the justice system.”
Defense attorney Richard Novak said he “completely respects Ms. Kirk’s position in this situation,” but said the state would treat the meeting as a confession.
“There are several things that the Supreme Court has said: The public has to wait for a jury trial to hear the evidence,” he said. “With all due respect to the Kirk family, all due respect to the media, and all due respect to the public, our primary concern in this process is Mr. Robinson’s right to a fair trial.”
After considering the issue and questioning both sides, Judge Tony Graf directed prosecutors to edit the video before it was played on Thursday, July 9.
Graff declined to say how public the video, if any, would be.
“We recognize the importance of transparency. We recognize the importance of balancing it with constitutional rights, but it’s a fine line,” Graf said. “I’m balancing all these competing rules, constitutional rights, and transparency. Sometimes it’s an imperfect balancing act, but I’m trying to do this balancing act in the interests of justice and, indeed, transparency.”
What else happened during the hearing?
During the first half of the July 6 and July 7 hearings, prosecutors at times played graphic footage of Kirk’s shooting and called law enforcement witnesses to corroborate their claims that Robinson shot Kirk during a September event at Utah Valley University. Robinson is charged with aggravated murder and other felonies, and Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said he intends to seek the death penalty.
Officials described a chaotic scene as the manhunt for the gunman began and new surveillance footage shown in court that showed Robinson arriving on campus and then fleeing the scene with an object in his hand.
David Hull, then an investigator with the State Bureau of Investigation, said in court that Robinson visited the campus four times on September 10 and September 11 and had interacted with members of Kirk’s organization Turning Point USA before the shooting. Mr Hull said Robinson was seen twice approaching the wooded area and the rifle allegedly used to kill Kirk was later found wrapped in a towel.
Robinson’s attorney questioned law enforcement officials about the security preparations that preceded the event and the subsequent investigation, which included an unexploded bullet and another gun found on campus. The defense called its first witness on July 7, questioning a Federal Bureau of Investigation DNA analyst about the veracity of a report linking Robinson to Towel and the driver found on the roof where investigators believe the fatal shooting occurred.
What is a preliminary hearing?
The preliminary hearing looks like a trial, with both sides presenting evidence and cross-examining witnesses, but there is no jury and Robinson’s guilt or innocence will not be determined.
Mr. Graf must decide whether there is probable cause for Mr. Robinson to go to trial. Graf explained that the evidence must be evaluated “in the light most favorable to the prosecution.”
Robinson’s defense team indicated on June 26 that they plan to call at least three witnesses. The hearing is scheduled to last until July 10, but there have been significant delays as lawyers debate the admissibility of much of the evidence.
